Mass Production Of Aquatic Plants

Abstract

A method of mass production of algae is provided, including an algae growth trough having an algae introduction end having a first width and an algae extraction end having a second width wider than the first width. Water is supplied to the trough from a water treatment facility and carbon dioxide is introduced to the water from a combustion source. The algae is allowed to grow within the algae growth trough while light is provided to the trough. The algae is extracted from the extraction end of the trough, and as the algae continues to grow under optimal conditions, the algae is continuously harvested for commercial use. The mass production of algae allows for the consumption of enormous amounts of carbon dioxide which can be generated from a coal electrical generation facility or other industrial facility.

1 . A method of mass production of aquatic plants, comprising:
 providing a plant growth trough having a plant introduction end having a first width and a plant extraction end having a second width wider than said first width;   supplying water to said trough from a water treatment facility;   introducing CO 2  from a combustion source to said water;   providing light to said trough;   introducing an aquatic plant to said introduction end of said trough; and   extracting said aquatic plants from said extraction end of said trough.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said CO 2  is supplied from an electrical generator plant 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said light is supplied by LEDs emitting light in specific wave lengths. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said light is supplied by at least one of sunlight, LEDs, incandescent light. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustion source is an electrical coal generator plant. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustion source is a CO 2  emitting facility. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustion source is a manufacturing plant using combustion in a manufacturing process 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said combustion source is a hydrocarbon fuel source. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said water is treated with a UV light to kill bacteria therein. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said extracted aquatic plants are treated with de-watering equipment to separate water from said aquatic plants. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein oxygen is extracted from said trough for supplying to said electrical generator plant. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of introducing CO 2  includes introducing CO 2  directly into water in said plant growth trough. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of providing light to said trough includes providing a light submerged in said water in said trough. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of extracting said aquatic plants includes withdrawing a conveyor matt from said trough including aquatic plants attached thereto. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said trough includes at least one well portion that is deeper than a remainder of said trough to allow water to be extracted from the well portion without disturbing the algae on the surface. 
   
   
       16 . A system for mass production of algae, comprising:
 a plurality of troughs each having an algae introduction end having a first width and an algae extraction end having a second width wider than said first width, said plurality of troughs each being provided with a cover and a light source for providing light inside of said trough;   a source of water attached to said plurality of troughs, said source of water including a water treatment plant; and   a source of CO 2  in communication with at least one of said plurality of troughs and said source of water, said source of CO 2  including a combustion exhaust gas from one of an electricity generation plant, a steam generation plant and an industrial manufacturing plant.   
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said troughs are made at least in part from a polyethylene plastic. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said troughs include a plurality of straight sections, each having a generally constant width, attached to transition sections that widen from one end to another. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein each of said straight sections have a same width with said transition section diverting flow to two adjacent straight sections. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein each of said straight sections include extruded plastic sections. 
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said extruded plastic sections are reinforced by metal sections. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said straight sections are assembled from a first side panel including a side wall portion and a first floor portion and a second side panel including a side wall portion and a second floor portion. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said first floor portion and said second floor portion each include mutual engaging portions for sealingly engaging said first and second side panels together. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein said first floor portion and said second floor portion are welded to one another. 
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claim 22 , further comprising a center floor section including first and second edge portions adapted to engage respective ones of said first floor portion and said second floor portion. 
   
   
       26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said first floor portion is welded to said center floor section and said second floor portion is welded to said center floor section. 
   
   
       27 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a channel in said plurality of troughs for introducing CO 2  into said water. 
   
   
       28 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a light source in said plurality of troughs. 
   
   
       29 . The system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a conveyor matt disposed in said trough for traversing from said algae introduction end to said algae extraction end. 
   
   
       30 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said trough includes at least one well portion that is deeper than a remainder of said trough and a drain disposed in said well portion. 
   
   
       31 . A system for mass production of algae, comprising:
 a trough having an algae introduction end having a first width and an algae extraction end having a second width wider than said first width, said trough being provided with a light source for providing light inside of said trough;   a source of water attached to said plurality of troughs, said source of water including a water treatment plant; and   a source of CO 2  in communication with at least one of said trough and said source of water, said source of CO 2  including a combustion exhaust gas from one of an electricity generation plant, a steam generation plant and an industrial manufacturing plant.   
   
   
       32 . A system for mass production of algae, comprising:
 a trough having an algae introduction end and an algae extraction end, said trough being provided with a light source for providing light inside of said trough;   a source of water attached to said plurality of troughs; and   a source of CO 2  in communication with at least one of said trough and said source of water, said source of CO 2  including a combustion exhaust gas from one of an electricity generation plant, a steam generation plant and an industrial manufacturing plant.   
   
   
       33 . A system for mass production of algae, comprising:
 a trough having an algae introduction end and an algae extraction end;   a source of water attached to said plurality of troughs, said source of water including a water treatment plant; and   a source of CO 2  in communication with at least one of said trough and said source of water, said source of CO 2  including a combustion exhaust gas from one of an electricity generation plant, a steam generation plant and an industrial manufacturing plant.